The Jews of Orșova: A Community in the Border Town Drowned by the Danube
In Orșova, the border town at the Iron Gates, a small Neolog community was founded in 1876. In 1940 the town stayed…
ORSOVA · JEWISH HERITAGE
Jewish Orșova
Orșova, a border town on the Danube at the entrance to the Iron Gates gorge, was closed to Jews until the 19th century. A small Neolog community was founded there in 1876, and a synagogue was built in 1878. In 1940 the town remained in Romania, and its Jews were not deported to Auschwitz. The old town has since been covered by the dam lake, and what remains is the walled Jewish cemetery.
- 1 story
- Cemeteries
- History
- Jewish Communities
Practical information
- Cemetery
- In Orșova, according to the Federation (no address) · no hours published; arrange in advance
- Arrangements
- Jewish Community of Craiova, Strada Horezului 5, according to the Federation · the Orșova community is attached to it
- On the way
- On the Danube, between Drobeta-Turnu Severin and the Cazane gorge
- Nearby
- Craiova; Caracal; Petroșani
- Kosher food
- We found no kosher food in the town · bring supplies
The Jewish community in Orșova and around
The Jews of Orșova are organised as a branch attached to the Jewish community of Craiova.
Jewish Community of Craiova
- President
- Corneliu Sabetay
- Community office
- Str. Horezului nr. 5, Craiova
- Phone/fax
- 0351 434 036
- cecraiova1@yahoo.com
Details from the community directory of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania (FCER), checked on 5 November 2026. Contact the community before visiting to arrange access to the synagogue or cemetery and to ask about a minyan and kosher food. FCER community directory
Jewish cemeteries in Orșova
Orșova
No address on the official list
Jewish cemeteries nearby
- Mehadia, about 22 km
- Turnu Severin, about 23 km
From the Federation’s cemetery list (2007). Arrange visits in advance with the community, which holds the keys.
Map of Jewish cemeteries in RomaniaHalachic times in Orșova
Astronomical calculation for the town-centre coordinates, sea-level horizon, Romanian time: dawn 16.1°, tallit & tefillin 11.5°, nightfall 7.083°, candle lighting 18 minutes before sunset, Shabbat ends 8.5°. For orientation only; consult a rabbi on questions of halacha.
Kosher products in Orșova
Supermarket chains in town
We could not verify branches of the large chains in town. Check the store locators:
Packaged products: our kosher catalogue
Hundreds of products from Romanian supermarkets with a recognised hechsher. In the catalogue you can filter by the chain you shop at.
Open the kosher catalogueWhat you can buy fresh in any supermarket
- Fresh, whole fruit and vegetables — no kashrut issue, but leafy greens, cabbage, broccoli and strawberries must be checked for insects.
- Fresh, whole fish — a fish where you can see fins and scales, such as carp, trout, whole salmon or sea bream. Ask the shop not to clean or cut it with its own knives, or clean it at home with kosher utensils. Fillets without skin, smoked or seasoned fish — only with a hechsher.
- Eggs — permitted; check each egg for blood spots before use.
- Staples — water, sugar, salt, rice and oil — preferably from the catalogue or with a kosher symbol on the pack.
- Meat, poultry, dairy, cheese and bread — only under recognised supervision. You can order kosher meals from Moise House or ask the local Jewish community.
General guidance for travellers. For any kashrut question, consult a rabbi.